KABUL, Feb 18: Afghanistan angrily demanded on Sunday that Pakistan make clear its position on an “irresponsible” statement by one of its governors that Afghan people support Taliban insurgents.

In a sharply worded media release, the foreign ministry said the comment last week by the governor of Pakistan's North West Frontier Province was a “direct and flagrant interference in the internal affairs of Afghanistan.” “Such expressions are further examples of continuing direct and indirect attempts by certain circles within the Pakistani intelligence and political establishment to prevent emergence of an independent, peaceful and democratic Afghanistan in the region,” it said.

Aurakzai told reporters on Saturday he believed the roots of the insurgency were in Afghanistan.

“There are maybe five per cent, 10 per cent, okay 20 per cent (of the Taliban) from this side but 80 per cent of them are in Afghanistan,” he said, adding the insurgency was turning into a “liberation war.” The ministry accused Aurakzai of characterising “terrorism as a liberation movement” and showing his opposition to UN Security Council resolutions on rooting it out, and cited his “contemplative and practical ties” with it.

“In accordance with international norms and laws, the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan calls upon the Islamic Republic of Pakistan to clarify its official position on these irresponsible and intrusive statements,” it said.—AFP